Commemorate the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's death with a packet of cross-curricular literacy lessons and activities centered around two of the Bard's most popular plays, Macbeth and The Tempest. Class members look for evidence of bullying in Macbeth and develop an anti-bullying document for the school. A reading of key scenes from The Tempest leads individuals to design their own utopian society.

Concepts

william shakespeare, macbeth, the tempest, dramatic plays, dramatizations, persuasive speeches

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Additional Tags

english language arts

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Instructional Ideas

• Provide those unfamiliar with Macbeth, especially reluctant readers, copies of the Manga graphic novel-style adaptation of the play

Classroom Considerations

• Although designed for learners aged 11-14, the materials are appropriate for all middle and high school classes
• The persuasive speech activity assumes orators have experience using rhetorical devices

Pros

• The focus on bullying in Macbeth and on the desire for a more perfect world in The Tempest provides real-world connections for class members
• The 15-page packet includes a synopsis of both plays, ten 60-minute lessons, and links to film adaptations of both plays

Cons

• None

Common Core

RL.7.1 RL.8.1 RL.9-10.1 RL.11-12.1 SL.6.1.a SL.7.1.a SL.8.1.a SL.9-10.1.a SL.11-12.1.a